General Sport

Trojans close the gap in hockey league

Trojans scored twice in the early stages to set up a 3-2 win over the Bank of England – a result which moved them alongside Winchester at the top of Hampshire/Surrey Regional League, Division 2.

But, despite scoring those two early goals, Trojans found it hard going as they battled to overcome a resilient Bank side that refused to lie down.

There’s a real buzz around Stoneham Lane these days and that determination to regain lost ground in the regional hockey pyramid was evident from the start as Trojans controlled the midfield and soon forged ahead with Ben Cole and Richard Aves creating an opening for Ed Jeffery, who beat two Bank defenders before scoring from a tight angle.

Having found the key to the Bank vaults early on, Trojans soon doubled their lead – Jeffery the creator for a far post tap in by James Sordillo.

Trojans ought to have been out of sight before half-time but a string of missed opportunities, together with a goal clawed back from a penalty corner by Kieron Keefe left them only 2-1 up at the break.

As the Bankers came more into the game, so Trojans lost their early edge and passing became sloppy.

But, just when they needed a goal, Jeffery stood up to the mark – rifling a drag-kick penalty corner into the BoE net to restore a two-goal advantage.

A soft own goal by Steve Cole led the city side scoring a second, but Trojans piled on the late pressure without success before securing a 3-2 win.